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In Newgate Street, in the city of London, stand the meagre ruins of Christ Church. On the same site once stood a royal mausoleum set to rival Westminster Abbey in the 14th century. Among the many crowned heads buried there was Isabella of France, Edward II's queen - one of the most notorious femme fatales in history. But how did she acquire her evil reputation? And is it justified? Alison Weir's engrossing biography sets out to put the record straight.

Well researched, complete and thorough life of Isabella, fairly assessed, and an excellent overview of this crucial period in English history.
This is a serious historical work using all the sources available for the period. It is neither a novel nor light listening. If you are looking for historical biography disregard the complaining reviews. You will not waste your credit.
The book is well if a little starchily read. Mind you the reader has to decide when sources are being quoted and of course one cannot see references.
Highly recommended.

I loved this as much as I had the book. Having become a night time listener this was, for me, an ideal saga of a strong and powerful woman. As always Alison Weir brings a wealth of facts into the narrative but never distracts from the story. The narrator was just right.

I am disappointed by this book as I’ve enjoyed other books by the author. I’ve given up after about 8 hours as the book is so overburdened by superfluous details. I don’t need to know the intricate genealogy of minor royals and aristocracy of France and England, the architecture, decor and repairs, if needed, of every property visited by the King and Queen (and there are an awful lot), shopping lists for banquets, supplies for the royal stables or the names and wages of numerous employees of the royal households. The latter might be of interest if the shillings per week weren’t just converted into exactly equivalent decimal currency, I don’t need to be told that 1 shilling equals 5 pence, but how much that wage would be taking into account inflation. All this detail bogs down what should be an interesting historical novel and converts it into an academic thesis in which a student has to show that she has dug out every fact available about medieval life. It would be tedious to read but totally unsuitable for an audio book in which it’s difficult to skip the boring bits.By the time I gave up the book seemed more about Edward II’s lack of judgement and extravagance and yet another example of why monarchy as a way to govern a country is a lottery.

The narrator is good and I sympathsize with her having to read such a long book of facts.

The title 'Isabella - she wolf of France' is somewhat misleading. The book is really a chronicle of her life and at the very end the author admits that Isabella did not deserve the title given to her. Her life was interesting to a degree but the book only says where she was when. Purely a record of her progress and rather dull listening. The exciting sounding title made me want to hear more of this woman who lived very close to me in a castle - now ruined. I kept waiting for something to happen but the book is lacking in drama although probably historically accurate. I was very disappointed

I usually enjoy Alison Weir's books but this was too dry. Many lists of provisions as other reviewers have mentioned. The narrator is clear but pauses in odd places and mispronounces some words; impy-us for impious foxed me for a while. I ploughed on for about a third of the book but then gave up. Unfortunately, I bought it too long ago to return it.

I was a bit apprehensive about this book due to my hatred of historical romance fiction, which Weir is known for, but this book was so well researched and interesting. I wasn't entirely convinced about her argument that Edward the second hadn't been murdered, but had in fact, run away, but it's not something that detracts from the overall book. Whilst other reviewers have complained that the book is bogged down in unnecessary detail, for me, this was incredibly interesting, as it helped me really imagine the world that Isabella inhabited in her day-to-day life. I cannot recommend this book enough!

I enjoyed this book and the narration as I do with other Alison weir books on here. my only criticism is that it was jumpy going in to new chapters but still enjoyed learning about a queen I have never read or studied before and the politics and difficulties she faced.

I am normally not a person interested in this kind of books but another family member had purchased it. I started to listen to it with a sense of "I'll give it 5 minutes..", but when the 5 minutes were up, I was hooked. It is a story of a great - but for me hitherto unknown - personality, intellectually told and with a lot of sensible distance to the object. A great history told in a very interesting way. When I had listened to the first two parts I thought the story was over, but was delighted to find out there was a third part! This book would become a great movie.

17 of 17 people found this review helpful

Jillian

In My Own Little World

11/10/07

Overall

"Good History"

This is a rare academic book that sounds less like a textbook and more like an interesting story. There are a few tedious moments of minute household account details, but overall this was interesting and entertaining, even if Ms. Weir has other ideas about what happened to Edward II. ;) Its definitely a worthwhile read for history fans.

17 of 17 people found this review helpful

Neil Chisholm

Buninyong, Australia

22/08/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"No she-wolf but no pussy cat either"

This was a fascinating biography of an extraordinary woman for her age - the 14th century was not a time for rampant feminism but Isabella was a woman to be reckoned with. Its a period in history of great changes, huge loss of life both in wars and in the Black Death and the beginnings of an awakening that was to become the Renaissance and through it all lived Isabella, wife of the pathetic King Edward II and lover of the tyrannical Mortimer.

History has been unkind to Isabella and in this book Alison Weir has set the record straight and makes a wonderful job of it. Lisette Lecat did a superb job of narrating it and her french accent pronouncing the french place names that cropped up throughout the book was wonderful - these names would have been tripped over and bastardised by any English or American narrator - Lisette was perfect for the role.

Highly recommended for those interested in the 14th Century, English History and those who enjoy a good revolution, murder and women with big personalities.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Heimo

Frankfurt, Germany

13/07/09

Overall

"fantastic biography"

a book full of fascinating details, all working together to bring the characters to life. i found the voice of the reader to be mature, calm, unobtrusive, and she held my attention without slipping into the kind of performance art so many readers offer. no stage theatrics here. it has been a very relaxing but stimulating experience. all biographies should be this wonderful.

14 of 14 people found this review helpful

Linda

Dallas, TX, USA

16/01/10

Overall

"Excellent Book!"

This was a captivating, well-researched and intelligently presented biography of the fascinating Isabella. Highly recommended to an intelligent, well-educated readership.

12 of 12 people found this review helpful

Laurie

Vienna, VA, United States

02/10/10

Overall

"Weir is an historian, but not great audio material"

I've read most of Weir's books, both historical fiction or like this book, fiction/history. Alas, I must say that I would rather have read than heard this very methodical review of everything everyone wore, ate, wrote, etc. Better read than heard in my opinion.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Nancy

Middletown, MD, USA

23/03/10

Overall

"Loved it."

I am really glad that I bought this book before reading the reviews -- because if I had not, I may not have. So it's important to remember that a review is always going to be subjective.

That said, I loved it and found it really, really interesting. And I happen to really like Alison Weir's voice and accent, which helped.

It's worth it to find out.

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

LeighLeighE

Columbus, OH USA

24/07/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Wasn't for me"

I got bored with this one, but usually love Historical based literature (fiction or non-fiction).

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Mary Elizabeth Reynolds

SUMMERVILLE, SC, United States

01/09/12

Overall

Performance

Story

"awesome history"

considering the time period, this is a wonderful history of the middle ages. I especially enjoyed the little details about the castles, clothing and so on. It also does a good job with a woman of dubious character, the author does a pretty good job with her though. Isabella was no saint and she wasn't made out to be such, but I do believe she makes a great case for how important this one woman was to the history of England and Europe. The seeds of the Hundred Years War and the War of the Roses began with her and good ole' Mortimer. I'm pretty certain though that Edward the Second didn't end up in a monastic order. He didn't die per Lancastrian propaganda BUT I can't picture him in hermit garb either. Bottom line, this woman survived them all........

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Katelyn

el mirage, AZ, USA

16/05/09

Overall

"Credit worthy"

I was interested in the real story of Isabella and after listening to this book I have so much sympathy for her. It's just another example of society pointing to the worst aspects of women and ignoring the cause and the good qualities.

8 of 11 people found this review helpful

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